Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“You are a Du Bell. Everyone knows you exist,” I reminded her, squeezing her hands to calm her. “What is his name?”
“You are terrible at keeping secrets so I shall not risk sharing any more information. I’ve said too much as it is.”
“I very well can keep a secret, and besides, it’s best you tell me. Do you not fear I shall come upon him during his time here and steal him away?”
“With your eyes focused squarely on your prince? I doubt it.” She giggled and shook her head. “Besides, he shall not be here, for he is currently employed as an officer and serving our great country.”
“An officer? Is he at war? Where did you even come across such a man?”
“I will not say any more,” she replied as she released my hands.
“Why did you say anything at all? Or is this your plot to torment me?” I huffed and crossed my arms as I glared at her.
She twirled the end of her blonde braid. “I told you because…I just felt…I felt as if I would combust if I did not speak the words to someone. These feelings in my chest make me feel as if I cannot breathe, and I do not know what to do, so I thought I would tell my big sister. You will not betray me, will you?”
Who is this person? I thought but instead shook my head no. “I will not betray you. Now, go on to bed. It is late.”
“What of your room?”
“That is a problem for the morning,” I replied gently. “Go on and speak no more of these feelings until you are out in society, or Mama will wring your neck.”
“Thank you, big sister.” She smiled at me before placing the bucket at the foot of my bed and walking to the door.
I waited until she was just about to leave before saying, “I love you, little sister.”
“And I you. I pray all your hard work will come to fruition, princess,” she said and closed the door behind her. I stood in my feather-infested room, unable to grasp the magnitude of what I had just learned.
My little sister had a love story brewing before me. First, it was Aphrodite, then Verity, and now Devana?
At this rate, I would not be surprised if Abena had a suitor waiting for her. There was heaviness upon my shoulders, a pressure that grew so strong I slowly sank beside the bucket and pulled my legs to my chest. Had I ever even liked someone? I mean truly liked someone so much I was aching to speak the words aloud as Devana had now? No, I could not say I had.
At the age of twenty, I had secured no great feelings for any gentleman. Was there something wrong with me? Aphrodite, too, had fallen in love with Evander at sixteen. And if I recall correctly, that was the age at which my mother had wed my father. Was that when we were meant to be in love? If so, did that mean I had missed my chance? No, Verity was eighteen when she wed. Would that mean Devana would wed immediately upon entering society as well? What if I couldn’t succeed in gaining Prince Wilhelm’s attentions? What if I failed this season and still had not found someone in two years’ time? Devana would marry before me. No. Mama would not allow it. She would see me wed first, but that would mean I was postponing another couple’s happiness, would it not? Surely that would not bring forth good karma.
I gripped the side of my head, an ache growing within. I did not wish to think any longer. I crawled onto my bed and lay down, swatting the feathers from my face before closing my eyes. Hopefully, the morning would bring me relief and renewed energy to figure out my life before it was too late. Just as I felt I had finally drifted off, my name was called as if it were a call to arms.
“By heavens, Lady Hathor!”
My eyes snapped open only for a second before I shut them again, the brightness of the light nearly blinding me. Rolling over onto my side, I tried to sleep more when I felt a slight slap on my back.
“Lady Hathor, you must wake up this moment. And why is your room in such a state!” Bernice, my maid, questioned as she fought to take the bedsheets from me.
“Abena,” I grumbled, trying to hold on to the sheets and use them to cover my ears. How was it morning already? I had only just closed my eyes.
“Your mother is already awake and demands you arise at once, Lady Hathor.”
How mama was always able to wake with the sun was beyond me, but it could not be healthy. I would have to write to Verity and demand that she ask her husband to warn my mother of the harm lack of sleep would cause.